Kelowna Sports

Video: Wings combine sun and snow with work

A full house of 6,000 people filled Prospera Place this morning to watch the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings practice here in Kelowna.

The club is in the Okanagan for two days of practice along with some rest and relaxation during a three-day stretch with no games. Wings GM Ken Holland said that with the team due in Edmonton on Friday after a game in Calgary on Monday, the club was either going to camp out it Banff or Kelowna. However, Holland, who owns a home in Vernon, thought this city would offer his group more variety of things to see and do.

Some of the players were at Big White on Tuesday for snowmobiling, then had dinner at local restaurants here in Kelowna. Today, some said they would explore the city a bit. Training staff have booked visits to local wineries.

Goaltender Chris Osgood also owns a home in Vernon, and said some of his teammates were surprised to learn about all the Okanagan has to offer, from golf to skiing, all in the same season.

Fans here were treated to an up-close look at the NHL stars, and have a chance to do so again on Thursday at 11 a.m. at Prospera Place. Admission costs nothing more than a donation to the Kelowna Community Food Bank.

The crowd today donated 11,200 pounds of food, valued at about $25,000.